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William Ball
I am a PhD Researcher, nearing completion of my thesis and am now aiming to develop on the academic foundations I have built so far by securing a post-doctoral research position. This progression will allow me to achieve my wider career aims of producing internationally recognised research which can make an impact on policy related to population health.
Education
PhD. Researcher, Population Health
Edinburgh, Scotland
Current - 2015
- Thesis: Health Inequalities in the British Nursing Workforce.
- Supervisors: Iain Atherton, Richard Kyle, and Nadine Dougall.
BSc. Adult Nursing (Years 2 & 3)
University of Stirling
Inverness, Scotland
2015 - 2013
- Awarded with Merit.
- Transferred to University of Stirling due to relocation.
BSc. (Hons) Adult Nursing (Years 1 & 2)
London South Bank University
London, England
2013 - 2011
- Commenced degree study in London, undertaking palcements in University College London Hospital Trust.
BA. Religion, Philosophy & Ethics
King’s College London
London, England
2010 - 2006
Research Positions
Research Fellow
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, Scotland
Present - 2021
- Working as part of the Networked Data Lab - a collaborative network of analysts - using linked health data to address locally & nationally relevant challenges in population health and health inequalities.
Research Interests
My main research interest is in understanding Health Inequalities, with a particular focus on the contribution of Deprivation as a determinant of health. The focus on my research is understanding what factors influence unfair or unjust variation in health, to better inform effective policy to reduce inequalities.
My work to date has been quantitative in nature and makes use of large linked administrative and Census-derived longitudinal datasets. Through my PhD, I have developed strong research design skills and have experience of epidemiological research methodologies.
In the future I aim to build on my skills and experience in population health reseaerch.
Selected Publications, Posters & Talks
I have recently started my own blog, discussing topics ranging from Health Inequalities, Open Science and issues around the Nursing workforce. In addition I have written an article for the Radical Statistics Journal.
Methodological Problems and Solutions
Edinburgh Napier University
Virtual
2020
- Oral presentation to students of the ‘Principles of Data Management & Analysis’ MSc module
Open Data, Open Science and Transparency in the time of COVID 19
Radical Statistics (Issue 127)
N/A
2020
- Journal article discussing the rapid adoption of open science approaches in the early stages of the COVID19 pandemic, and related implications to transparency.
Self-Rated Health Inequalities in British Nurses
International Population Data Linkage Network Conference 2020
Adelaide, Australia (Virtual)
2020
- Oral Presentation
Health Inequalities in the British Nursing Workforce
International Journal of Population Data Science
Banff, Canada
2018
- Accepted Conference Abstract (Did not attend)
Exploring the ‘Scottish Excess’ with eDatashield and linkage of an adjusted Index of Multiple Deprivation
Administrative Data Research Network Conference 2017
Edinburgh, Scotland
2017
- Oral presentation
Self-Rated Health: Representing Health in a Population Study
Edinburgh Napier Postgraduate Research Conference 2016
Edinburgh, Scotland
2016
- Poster presentation
Skills & Expertise
My research has required me to develop various skills, including the manipulation and analysis of large data sets as well as record linkage with administrative data sources. To facilitate this, I have become proficient in using the R programming langauge for a number of applications.
I enjoy disseminating the results of my work and have given oral and poster presentations in a range of contexts. This includes at international conferences, for research staff within my institution, research student peers and other postgraduate health researchers. I highly value these experiences and have enjoyed tailoring my presentation content to a variety of people, including those with little overlapping subject or methodological knowledge. I have also written on the topic of Open Science and transparency in relation to COVID-19.
I have an interest in data visualisation, exemplified by the creation of maps which visualise Deprivation. I am particularly proud that an interactive visualisation I created to explore inequalities in infant mortality was shortlisted for an award at the 2020 NHS Visual Data Challenge.
Throughout my PhD studies I have combined clinical work with my research, showing good time and project management skills. Due to the sensitive nature of my datasets, I have developed an excellent working relationship with colleagues at the Office for National Statistics and the Scottish Longitudinal Studies.
I have enjoyed mentorship opportunities of undergraduate Nursing students undertaking written assessments, and have also been involved in marking responsibilities. I have also created tutorials for other R users in how to create visualisations. I sat on the School Research and Innovation Committee as a representative of the Postgraduate Research student body. I was also part of the organising team for a Postgraduate Research Conference for students from accross the Edinburgh Universities in 2016 and am currently an Editor for the Society for Social Medicine & Population Health newsletter.
Training
Advanced Analysis of Linked Health Data
Swansea University
Swansea, Wales
2017
- 5-day residential course developing on advanced principles of healthcare epidemiology, combined with practical data analysis.
Safe Users of Research Data Environment (SURE) Accreditation
Administrative Data Research Centre - Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland
2017
- Accreditation training for safe use of datasets held securely within Safe Havens.
PhD Writing Workshop
Rose Barbour Workshops
Edinburgh, Scotland
2017
- 2-Day Thesis writing workshop.
Introductory Analysis of Linked Health Data
Swansea University
Swansea, Wales
2016
- 5-day residential course introducing the foundations of theory and skills required to analyse linked health data.
Computational Science Using Big Data in R
Cathie Marsh Institute
Manchester, England
2016
- Training course to identify efficiently working with large amounts of data in R.
Clinical Experience
Cardiac Nurse
InHealth Group
United Kingdom
Current - 2019
- Working as part of the Mobile Cardiac team providing interventional cardiology services around the United Kingdom.
Cardiac Nurse
NHS Grampian
Aberdeen, Scotland
2018 - 2015
- Working in Cardiac Catheterisation Labs. Working in a team to perform routine and emergency procedures including Coronary Angiograms, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Pacemaker Insertion and Electrophysiology studies (including ablations).
Professional Memberships
Radical Statistics
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International Population Data Linkage Network
N/A
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Royal College of Nurses
N/A
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